Christmas Movies
This 2003 film features a man who, after discovering his long-lost son, attempts to reconnect with him during the holiday season despite their contrasting personalities.
Elf
In this country, Christmas is celebrated on December 24th with a midnight feast, and children place their shoes out for gifts from the "Three Kings" on Epiphany.
Spain
This country is often credited as the birthplace of the modern Christmas tree tradition, which became popular in the 18th century.
Germany
This 19th-century English carol, written by William Chatterton Dix, was originally titled "The Manger Throne" and is now known for its line "What child is this who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?"
What child is this
In this country, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, but the highlight of the holiday season is Nochebuena, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, which includes a feast of roast lamb, tamales, and ponche.
Mexico
In this 1947 Christmas classic, a man named Kris Kringle claims to be the real Santa Claus and brings joy to a skeptical little girl and her mother.
Miracle on 34th street
In Finland, it is common for families to visit this location on Christmas Eve to honor loved ones who have passed away.
A cemetery
This holiday is celebrated in Ethiopia and Egypt on January 7th, following a different calendar and marked by unique customs like feasting and church services.
Orthodox Christmas
This American folk song, first published in 1864, is one of the oldest secular Christmas songs and tells the story of a poor family’s Christmas dinner. The song includes the refrain "God bless the Master of this house, and the Mistress also."
Good christian men, rejoice
In this Scandinavian country, families celebrate Christmas by lighting candles on the Adventskranz, a special wreath that holds four candles, one for each Sunday in Advent, culminating on Christmas Eve.
Sweden
This 1990 film features a group of toys that come to life on Christmas Eve to rescue their owner from a sinister villain who has plans to take over the toy store.
Jingle all the way
This Scandinavian holiday tradition involves a Christmas Eve dinner followed by a "julefrokost" (Christmas lunch), with a key component being pickled herring and aquavit.
Denmarks Christmas Feast
This lesser-known author wrote a popular 19th-century novella titled The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, which tells the story of a grieving woodcarver who finds redemption through his interactions with a young boy and his mother.
Patricia Polacco
This lesser-known Christmas carol, written by Christina Rossetti in 1872, was later set to music by Gustav Holst. Its lyrics begin with "In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan."
"In the Bleak Midwinter"
In this European country, Christmas celebrations begin with the feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6th. Children place their shoes out to receive gifts from the figure who arrives by boat, and festive treats like speculaas cookies are enjoyed.
The netherlands
In this 1996 Christmas movie, a family’s holiday plans are thrown into chaos when a man named Clark Griswold tries to create the perfect Christmas for his family, only to encounter a series of disasters.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This German tradition involves "Krampus," a creature who punishes children who have been naughty, and is celebrated on December 5th
Krampusnacht
This 18th-century holiday custom, originating in England, was meant to symbolize a spirit of hospitality and was considered a way to welcome in the New Year, involving the exchange of special decorated "gifts" at gatherings.
First-Footing
This obscure, 17th-century Christmas carol, originally written in Latin, was later translated into English and is often associated with medieval church services. The first verse begins with the words "Puer natus in Bethlehem."
"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
In this East Asian country, Christmas is not a traditional holiday but has become a celebration of love and consumerism. Couples often spend Christmas Eve dining on a specific fast-food meal that has become a nationwide tradition.
Japan
This 1989 film tells the story of a depressed businessman who attends a holiday party in a remote cabin, only to become trapped with a group of strangers, one of whom is secretly plotting his death.
Prancer
In this Eastern European country, Christmas Eve dinner is often meatless, consisting of twelve different dishes representing the twelve apostles, followed by the exchange of small gifts and an evening church service.
Poland
The first recorded use of the phrase "Merry Christmas" in a published work was in this 16th-century play by an English author.
A christmas Carol by shakespear
This 18th-century English carol, attributed to an anonymous author, is one of the oldest known carols still sung today. It was traditionally sung in medieval mystery plays and includes the line "Nowell, nowell, born is the King of Israel."
"The First Nowell"
In this Central American country, Christmas celebrations are marked by a series of nightly parades called Las Posadas, which re-enact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. The tradition culminates with a feast on Christmas Eve.
Guatemala